Single scan multi-procedure imaging

ABSTRACT

A method includes receiving a signal indicative of a single user selected imaging protocol for scanning a patient. The imaging protocol includes parameters for two or more of a bone mineral density, a fat composition, or an aortic calcium imaging procedures. The method further includes performing a single scan of the patient using the single user selected protocol. The method further includes generating a single set of image data for the two or more of a bone mineral density, a fat composition, or an aortic calcium imaging procedures.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/321,208 filed Nov. 18, 2011 which is a national filing of PCTapplication Serial No. PCT/IB2010/052126, filed May 12, 2010, publishedas WO 2010/146484 A1 on Dec. 23, 2010, which claims the benefit of U.S.provisional application Ser. No. 61/218,090 filed Jun. 18, 2009 and U.S.provisional application Ser. No. 61/237,334 filed Aug. 27, 2009, both ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

The following generally relates to imaging, and finds particularapplication to computed tomography (CT) imaging, and more particularlyto a single scan with a protocol that is based on a plurality ofdifferent imaging procedures, and processing the imaging data and/orpresenting and/or reporting on the processed imaging data. However, itis also amenable to other medical imaging applications and tonon-medical imaging applications.

A computed tomography (CT) scanner generally includes an x-ray tube thatemits radiation that traverses an examination region and a patientsupported therein via a patient support. A detector array detectsradiation traversing the examination region and the patient. Thedetector array generates a signal indicative of the detected radiation.A reconstructor reconstructs the signal and generates volumetric imagedata indicative of the patient. The volumetric image data can beprocessed to generate one or more images of the patient. The one or moreimages can be displayed on a monitor and/or printed to film.

Generally, one or more anatomy specific scanning protocols are generatedfor a plurality of different anatomical structures. By way of example,one or more protocols are designed specifically for bone scans while oneor more other protocols are designed for soft tissue scans such as ascan of liver or brain. Each protocol is configured with scan parametersvalues based on the particular anatomical structure. Examples of suchscan parameters include mA, kVp, slice thickness, resolution, number ofslices, etc.

Unfortunately, when using such anatomy specific protocols a patientundergoing a soft tissue scan and a bone scan is often scanned andirradiated twice, once for the soft tissue scan and once for the bonescan, with each scan increasing the patient's lifetime radiation dose.In addition, the scans may be performed at two different times and/orlocations with scan results from the first scan not readily accessibleand separate from the results from the other scan. Moreover, an orderedscan such as some screening type scans (e.g., CT colonography) may notbe performed due to the scan not being included on a pre-approvedprocedure list. In one instance, this may be due to a concern withirradiating patients with no symptoms.

Aspects of the present application address the above-referenced mattersand others.

According to one aspect, a method includes receiving imaging datagenerated by an imaging system for a scan performed utilizing an imagingprotocol with parameters that are based on a plurality of differentimaging procedures. The method further includes processing the imagingdata using at least one algorithm corresponding to at least one of theplurality of different imaging procedures. The method further includespresenting the processed imaging data.

According to another aspect, a system includes protocol bank for storingone or more imaging protocols. At least one of the protocols is based ona plurality of different imaging procedures. The system further includesan imaging system utilized to scan a patient based on the at least oneprotocol, wherein the imaging system generates imaging data indicativethereof. The system further includes an imaging data processor thatprocesses the generated imaging data using at least one algorithmcorresponding to at least one of the plurality of different imagingprocedures. The system further includes a presentation component thatpresents the processed imaging data.

According to another aspect, a computer readable storage mediumcontaining instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause thecomputer to perform the steps of: receiving imaging data acquired withan imaging protocol that is based on colonography, bone mineral density,fat assessment, and vascular calcium score imaging procedures;processing the imaging data using at least one algorithm correspondingto at least one of the imaging procedures, and presenting the processedimaging data.

According to another aspect, a method includes performing an imagingprocedure using a protocol optimized for a plurality of differentimaging procedures and generating imaging data, determining that theprotocol satisfies at least one other imaging procedure, associating theimaging data with first indicia indicating that the imaging datasatisfies the at least one other imaging procedure, and storing theimaging data and the first indicia in a first data repository.

The invention may take form in various components and arrangements ofcomponents, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The drawingsare only for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments and arenot to be construed as limiting the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example imaging data analysis system in connectionwith an imaging system.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example graphical user interface for presentingthe imaging data and/or information derived therefrom.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example method.

FIG. 1 illustrates an imaging system 100 such as a computed tomography(CT) scanner. The imaging system 100 includes a stationary gantry 102and a rotating gantry 104, which is rotatably supported by thestationary gantry 102. The rotating gantry 104 rotates around anexamination region 106 about a longitudinal or z-axis.

A radiation source 108, such as an x-ray tube, is supported by androtates with the rotating gantry 104 around the examination region 106.The radiation source 108 emits radiation, and a collimator collimatesthe emitted radiation and produces a generally fan, wedge, or coneshaped radiation beam that traverses the examination region 106.

A radiation sensitive detector array 110 is also supported by therotating gantry 104 and subtends an angular arc across from theradiation source 108, opposite the examination region 106. The detectorarray 110 detects radiation that traverses the examination region 106and generates projection data indicative thereof.

A patient support 112, such as a couch, supports the patient in theexamination region 106.

A general purpose computing system 114 serves as an operator console.The console includes at least one processor and software or computerexecutable instructions resident on a computer readable medium. Thesoftware, when executed by the processor or other processor, allows theoperator to control operation of the system 100, including selecting animaging protocol, creating an imaging protocol, modifying an imagingprotocol, initiating scanner, transferring imaging data, etc.

A protocol bank 116 stores one or more scanning or imaging protocols foruse by the system 100. At least one of the protocols in the protocolbank 116 is tailored for a set of different imaging procedures. Forexample, in one instance, at least one of the protocols is optimized forfour (4) different imaging procedures, including colonography, bonemineral density, fat assessment, and vascular (e.g., aortic) calciumimaging procedures. In one instance, the protocol is optimized on theaggregate scan requirements of the different imaging procedures, asopposed to the scan requirements of an individual specific protocol. Inanother instance, a weighting factor (e.g., from 0 to 1) is used tofocus or center the protocol on a subset of one or more of the differentimaging procedures. Yet another protocol may be optimized for one ormore different imaging procedures.

An example colonography scan includes an abdomen-pelvis scan with thepatient's colon insufflated for interpretation of intra-colonabnormalities. An example bone mineral density scan includes anabdomen-pelvis scan with the results used to measure the bone density ofa patient, for example, for osteoporosis screening/diagnosis. A fatassessment scan is used to measure visceral and/or subcutaneous fat. Avascular calcium scan is used to generate a vascular calcium score whichindicates a presence and/or degree of vascular calcification.

By using a protocol generated based on a set of different imagingprocedures for scanning, imaging data from a single scan be used for allfour (colonography, bone mineral density, fat assessment, and vascularcalcium) of the imaging procedures. As noted above, such a protocol maybe optimized based on the aggregate of all of the imaging procedures, aweighted aggregate, a subset of the imaging procedures, or otherwise.

In one embodiment, the protocol bank 116 is a database (or theinformation therein may additionally be provided to a database), whichis located locally or remotely to the console 114. In this embodiment,at least one protocol in the protocol bank 116 includes or is associatedwith information (e.g., metadata, flags, indicia, a look-up-table, etc.)that indicates which imaging procedure(s) it satisfies. This informationis accessible to authorized personnel (e.g., refereeing physicians,radiologists, technicians, etc.) and can be used (as is or modified) forsubsequent scanning. An executing console, web or other application canbe used to search the database for candidate protocols for an imagingprocedure based on various criteria such as patient information, imagingprocedure(s) of interest, etc.

Similarly, the imaging data (and/or information derived therefrom and/orprocessed imaging data) from the scans performed using such protocolscan be tagged or associated with information that indicates whichimaging procedure(s) it satisfies. The imaging data can be stored in adata repository such a Picture Archiving and Communication System(PACS), a Radiology Information System (RIS), a Hospital InformationSystem (HIS), and/or data repository. Likewise, an executing console,web or other application can be used to search the data repository forprior imaging procedures based on criteria such as patient information,imaging procedure(s) of interest, imaging procedure(s) satisfied, etc.In one instance, this allows a physician to input a request for a newscanning procedure and determine if prior imaging scans include the dataneeded for the new scanning procedure. This may eliminate or replace thenew scan procedure, or provide data for historical comparison.

A protocol generator 118 generates imaging protocols, includingprotocols stored in the protocol bank 116. The illustrated protocolgenerator 118 includes a processor that generates protocols based on aparticular set of imaging procedures, such as those noted above, anduser or other input. Where the set of imaging procedures includescolonography, bone mineral density, fat assessment, and vascular calciumimaging procedures, the protocol generator 118 can generate an imagingprotocol that is optimized based on an aggregate, a weighted aggregate,a subset, etc. of the colonography, bone mineral density, fatassessment, and vascular calcium imaging procedures.

The input provided to the protocol generator 118 may include informationsuch as which, if any, of the imaging procedures are for diagnosticpurposes and/or which, if any, of the imaging procedures are forscreening purposes. The protocol generator 118 can then take thisinformation into account when generating a protocol. For example, suchinformation may correlate to a particular weighting scheme wherediagnostic imaging procedures are weighted higher than non-diagnosticsimaging procedures. In another example, the protocol generator 118 mayuse a look up table or other predefined list to determined whether animaging procedure is a diagnostic or screening imaging procedure.

A reconstructor 122 reconstructs the projection data and generatesvolumetric image data indicative thereof.

An imaging data processor 124 includes a microprocessor 126 and acomputer readable storage medium such as memory 128. The memory 128stores computer executable instructions, which are executable by themicroprocessor 126. The imaging data processor 124 is shown separatefrom the system 100. As such, it can be part of a dedicated workstation,a desk computer, a server, and/or other computing system. In anotherembodiment, the imaging data processor 124 is part of the console 114.

The instructions include one or more algorithms for processingreconstructed and/or raw imaging data from the system 100 and/orderiving information therefrom. The illustrated memory 128 includes acolonography algorithm 130, a bone mineral density algorithm 132, a fatassessment algorithm 134, an vascular calcium score algorithm 136 andone or more other algorithms 138.

A presentation component 140 presents the processed and/or derivedinformation and/or other information. This may include presenting rawimaging data, reconstructed imaging data, scores, and/or otherinformation. As described in greater detail next, the presentationcomponent 140 can present such information in a graphical user interface(GUI) displayed on a monitor. The computer executable instructions forthe GUI 200 can be stored in the memory 128 and/or other storage.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example GUI 200. The GUI includes one or moreuser-activated regions 202 that invoke one or more of the algorithmsstored in the memory 128. The user-activated regions 202 can beactivated via various input devices such as a mouse, a digital pen, akeyboard, a touch screen and/or other input device.

A load data region 204 allows a user to select stored imaging data,including raw and/or reconstructed imaging data, for analysis. Such datacan be stored local or remote to the system running the GUI application.By way of example, the data may be stored on a local hard drive,portable storage medium, or a remote data storage repository. Examplesof a remote data storage repository include a Picture Archiving andCommunication System (PACS), a Radiology Information System (RIS), aHospital Information System (HIS), and/or other storage, database,and/or archival system. Remotely located data can be received over anetwork, a bus, or the like.

The illustrated GUI 200 also includes a colonography algorithm invokingregion 206, a bone mineral density algorithm invoking region 208, a fatassessment algorithm invoking region 210, and a vascular calciumalgorithm invoking region 212. The algorithm invoking region 206-212 areindividually selectable by a user. This allows a user the ability toselect one or more the type(s) of analysis to perform on the selectedraw and/or reconstructed imaging data. For example, if the user desiresto perform colonography, bone mineral density, fat assessment andvascular calcium analyses, then the user activates all four to theregions 206-212. If the user desires to perform a subset ofcolonography, bone mineral density, fat assessment and vascular calciumanalyses, then the user activates the regions 206-212 corresponding tothe subset. If the user desires to perform another analysis, the userdoes not activate any of the regions 206-212.

A presentation format region 214 provides options that allow the user topre-select how and what results of the analysis will be displayed. Forinstance, the GUI 200 or other window presented on a display can besplit into four different windows or screens, one for the results foreach of the colonography, bone mineral density, fat assessment andvascular calcium analyses. In another instance, the analysis results forone or more of the algorithms also be presented in a same window. Theanalysis results may include various information such as, but are notlimited to, images (2D, 3D, 4D and/or movie), scores, a combination ofimages and scores, and/or other information. The GUI 200 may also myassociated with a default preference file, which may provide a defaultpresentation format. In this instance, the region 214 can be omitted.

A report user activated region 216 allows the user to indicate whether areport should be generated, what information to include on the report,where to send the report, etc. In one instance, activating the reportuser activated region 216 generates a window with a list of reportoptions, which are selectable by the user. In another instance, acomprehensive single report that includes results and/or otherinformation about each of the different imaging procedures from thesingle scan is generated. As such, the imaging data processor 124 canconsolidate and integrate the different imaging procedures into a singlecomprehensive report.

An execute user activated region 218 allows the user to invoke theprocessor 126 to execute the computer readable instructionscorresponding to the selected application regions 206-212.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example workflow.

At 302, an imaging protocol is generated based on a plurality ofdifferent imaging procedures. As discussed above, in one instance aprotocol is generated and optimized based on a set of imaging proceduresincluding colonography, bone mineral density, fat assessment, andvascular calcium score imaging procedures. In one instance, the imagingprotocol includes an abdomen-pelvis scan with parameters optimized forthe foregoing imaging procedures. As noted herein, the generatedprotocol can be associated with information regarding the imagingprocedure(s) it satisfies (e.g., for diagnostics, screening or otherpurposes), stored, and accessible by authorized personnel.

At 304, the imaging protocol is selected for scanning a patient. Theselected protocol may be protocol generated for the particular patientand imaging procedure to be performed, a previous scan of the patient, aprevious scan of a different patient, or other protocol, as discussedherein.

At 306, the patient is scanned using the selected protocol. Likewise,the resulting imaging data and/or data derived therefrom can be taggedor otherwise associated with information regarding the imagingprocedure(s) it satisfies, stored, and accessible by authorizedpersonnel.

At 308, a user selects one or more analysis algorithms, including one ormore of colonography, bone mineral density, fat assessment, and vascularcalcium score algorithms.

At 310, the imaging data from the scan is processed using the selectedone or more analysis algorithms. Likewise, the processed imaging datacan be tagged or otherwise associated with information regarding theimaging procedure(s) it satisfies, stored, and accessible by authorizedpersonnel.

At 312, the processing results are presented. As described herein, thismay include concurrently presenting information (e.g., images, scores,etc.) for one or more of the different applications in separate or asame sub-windows on the display.

As noted herein, such a protocol allows for analyzing imaging data froma single scan to obtain colonography, bone mineral density, fatassessment, and vascular calcium information.

The above may be implemented by way of computer readable instructions,which, when executed by a computer processor(s), causes the processor(s)to carry out the acts described herein. In such a case, the instructionsare stored in a computer readable storage medium such as memoryassociated with and/or otherwise accessible to the relevant computer.

Although the illustrated example is discussed in the context of using CTcolonography data for bone mineral density, aortic calcification, andfat analysis, it is to be appreciated that other data can be usedadditionally or alternatively for bone mineral density, aorticcalcification, and fat analysis and/or the CT colonography data capturedusing the approaches herein can be used for other types of analysis.

The invention has been described herein with reference to the variousembodiments. Modifications and alterations may occur to others uponreading the description herein. It is intended that the invention beconstrued as including all such modifications and alterations insofar asthey come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalentsthereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving a signalindicative of a single user selected imaging protocol for scanning apatient, wherein the imaging protocol includes an aggregate or aweighted aggregate of a bone mineral density, a fat composition, or anaortic calcium imaging procedures; performing a single scan of thepatient using the single user selected protocol; and generating a singleset of image data for the two or more of the bone mineral density, thefat composition, or the aortic calcium imaging procedures.
 2. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: receiving a signal indicative of one ormore user selected analysis algorithms, wherein the one or more userselected analysis algorithms include at least two of a bone mineraldensity algorithm, a fat composition algorithm, or an aortic calciumalgorithm; and processing the single set of image data using the one ormore user selected analysis algorithms, producing a processing result.3. The method of claim 2, wherein the processing result includes atleast one of a bone mineral density image, a fat composition algorithmimage, or an aortic calcium image.
 4. The method of claim 3, furthercomprising: concurrently displaying the at least one of the bone mineraldensity image, the fat composition algorithm image, or the aorticcalcium image in a same view port of a graphical user interface.
 5. Themethod of claim 3, further comprising: concurrently displaying the atleast one of the bone mineral density image, the fat compositionalgorithm image, or the aortic calcium image in a different view port ofa graphical user interface.
 6. The method of claim 2, wherein theprocessing result includes at least one of a bone mineral densitymeasurement, a fat composition measurement, or an aortic calciummeasurement.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: concurrentlydisplaying the at least one of the bone mineral density measurement, thefat composition measurement, or the aortic calcium measurement in a sameview port of a graphical user interface.
 8. The method of claim 6,further comprising: concurrently displaying the at least one of the bonemineral density measurement, the fat composition measurement, or theaortic calcium measurement in a different view port of a graphical userinterface.
 9. The method of claim 2, further comprising: visuallypresenting, in a graphical user interface, graphical indicia, which whenactivated, respectively invokes the at least one of the bone mineraldensity algorithm, the fat composition algorithm, or the aortic calciumalgorithm.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: receiving aninput from one of a mouse, a digital pen, or a keyboard, a touch screenindicative of user activation of graphical indicia corresponding to oneor more of the bone mineral density algorithm, the fat compositionalgorithm, or the aortic calcium algorithm.
 11. The method of claim 2,further comprising: generating an electronic report that includes theprocessing result.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the processingresult includes data corresponding to two or more of the bone mineraldensity, the fat composition, or the aortic calcium imaging procedures.13. The method of claim 11, wherein the electronic report is at leastone of stored on or obtained from a Radiology Information System or aHospital Information System.
 14. The method of claim 2, wherein thesingle set of image data is at least one of stored on or obtained from aPicture Archiving and Communication System.
 15. The method of claim 1,wherein at least one of the imaging procedures is a diagnostic imagingprocedure.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of theimaging procedures is a screening imaging procedure.
 17. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the single imaging protocol further includes parametersfor a colonography procedure.
 18. A system, comprising: a memoryincluding instructions; and a computer processor that executes theinstructions, which cause the computer processor to execute a singleimaging protocol, which includes an aggregate or a weighted aggregate ofa bone mineral density, a fat composition, or an aortic calcium imagingprocedures, and generates a single set of image data for two or more ofthe bone mineral density, the fat composition, or the aortic calciumimaging procedures.
 19. A memory containing instructions which, whenexecuted by a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of:perform a single scan of the patient based on a single user selectedprotocol, which includes an aggregate or a weighted aggregate of a bonemineral density, a fat composition, or an aortic calcium imagingprocedures; and generate a single set of image data for two or more ofthe bone mineral density, the fat composition, or the aortic calciumimaging procedures.